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Got my "new" FE 550 E, runs bad!!!

sixdays

sixdays

Joined Nov 2005
61 Posts | 0+
Denmark, Europe
I just got my FE 550 shipped from Germany ( bought on E-bay).
It runs bad, runs idle for appr. 10 sec., then makes a loud "pop" and stops. It seems to be running lean, but sounds good mechanical. Has done about 2000 miles.
I will give it a valve adjust, change oil, change plug, clean everything, and adjust carb. I´ve looked for jeetings in the doc, but can´t find out what to use?? Other things i have to do??
 
I´ve looked for jetting in the doc

which year is this and which carb is fitted.

it sounds like ignition on the blink ORjetting.

blow out the carb.

please give me the code from the needle.

if it's a keihin - all you need to do is turn out the screw under the carb .5 - 1 turn. this will cure that.

i await the above and in the meantime can you try the things mentioned. the other thing is tight tappets - they will make this happen.

regards

Taffy
 
Sounds familiar. The last time I had that problem it was because I lost the little o-ring seal on the mixture screw on the bottom of the carb after a jetting session. If you remove the screw check to make sure the o-ring is there and in good shape. It's probably a long shot, but what the heck.
 
The little O-Ring from the FRC mixture screw is expensive, same with the little washer that goes with it. You seem to have to order the whole thing, unless you go to sudco.com and then you have to spend a minimum of $25 per order.

I know, they are gone from the FCR on my WRF 250 (not my doing) and the idling is very erratic, very tricky to set, and on top of that there is rev hanging.
 
It´s a Keihin carb. I tried to screw out the bottom screw o.75 turns, and it helped a bit, but it still runs bad. In a few days, i have the time, and will take it appart, and let you know. I took it for a test ride - 5 gear weelie only with throttle :D After the ride, the idle was very high :(

The fork looks exactly like the fork on my fe 400, 2001?? Is it the same?
 
a high idle is VERY good news!!!!

the PS (pilot screw) under the carb should be turned out between 1 and 3 turns with 1.5 turns being ideal. this is 1.5 turns from screwed right in ok?

but keep going if you need to. even to 3 turns if you think that that's what it needs!

it maybe that you now havce to start again if the idle is very high.

let us all know please?

regards

Taffy
 
Still isn´t running

Now i have cleaned the carb., done the valves, adjusted and cleaned the plug and spend a lot of $ on parts. I could start it, but it was hard, and only with starter cables and full choke. After running 2 minutes the headers turned RED, and the engine was VERY hot!!
I have cleaned the carb., so what is wrong???
 
Re: Still isn´t running

Check for air leaks on the inlet manifold, fire it up and spray the manifold with WD40 and look for any air leaks, sounds a bit on the lean side to me. The glowing headers is normal even if it was running ok this will still happen because it is thin material and single skin.

Regards

Sparks.
 
RE: Re: Still isn´t running

There are no leaks!
AArrgghh, i´m ready to buy a Katie instead!!
 
Re: RE: Re: Still isn´t running

Don't give up yet it's only appears to be a small carb problem. One way of telling if it requires richening is when you have warmed it up just add a small ammount of choke to see wether it responds better and the idle smooths out.
What does the bike run like in general 2nd 3 4 5 gear does it perform ok on the needle and main jet?.

Regards

Sparks
www.uk-motoplat.com
 
You sure the pilot jet is open? Have to strip a copper wire and push one strand through the jet cause the opening is so small. Blow it out with brake clean and then air and be certain to look through it to verify it is open. Be sure to also blow the brake clean through all the pilot passages and fuel adjuster passage visually watching the openings. Cover your eyes with goggles though, as the stuff burns.
dan
 
have you changed the cam timing at any time? and have you changed the ignition timing at any time.

could be that your ignition timing is ********.

let us know?

regards

Taffy
 
Hi Taffy
Sounds interesting! I got the bike like this, so i haven´t changed anything! How do i check the ignition timing?
 
the easiest way is to start the engine and remove the plastic bung. just about ANY of your mates that pretend to be mechanics will have a strobe light. they'll connect it all up for you. if not you do it. it's easy but whatever you do watch the cables and stop them resting on the exhaust pipes!!! mmm! smell that plastic.

then run the bike higher and higher till the dots stop appearing to move anti-clockwise. the line on the flywheel should line up with the black line on your ignition stator.

there is a picture oif this in your owners manual. download one from here if needs be.

basically, get a mate around with the strobe and he'll do it. full advance should be 36D BTDC. as per the doc (lineaweaver)

regards

Taffy
 
Well, considering the Euro models we've seen in the states, you need to remove a block off plate the covers the intake, take out an insert, I believe where the Needle adjustment screw should go, change the clip location, re-jet of course, couple of turns out on fuel mixture screw and remove a very constricting baffle from the end of the exhaust pipe. There may be some other issues that your local dealer should be able to work out for you, oh wait, you bought it off of ebay, I guess there is no local dealer...
 
where is the block off plate on intake, I have not seen this on my 07 650 yet, or did I just not look yet?

Sethro
 
Now it´s better, and i haven´t done anything! It starts easy, but very poor gas response, red headers - sign of a engine running to lean i guess?
So now i will try to re-jet the Keihin. Now all is stock - 182 main, idlejet 38, main air 200, idle air 100, NP 5 from top, starting jet 85. How do you do your jetting over there? Any difference from mine? What should i do?
KTM uses allmost the same jetting for 525 SX (also Keihin FCR 41)
 
I don't have any experience with the FCR, mine is all based upon the Dellorto.

I just want to state that if you are sure about that you have standard jetting in the carb there is a small chance that the bike will run as poorly as you describe it to do without something being in-correct. Changing parts will probably not fix your problem unless you have a blocked or faulty component.

On the Dellorto there is a huge difference in how the needle is adjusted. Two clicks off and the bike will barely start, one click off it still runs very poorly.

Again, read the doc, search the forum, collect your head and don't give up. You have bought yourself a great bike and I'm sure you will get it running well.
Hakan
 
sethro said:
where is the block off plate on intake, I have not seen this on my 07 650 yet, or did I just not look yet?

Sethro
Click to expand...

these plates were present on "Euro" models we received...I thought your post said new, so if someone else owned it prior to you, they may have removed and rejetted already or the dealer did...Im just explaining what I've seen here.
 

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